Vacuum cleaner



Nbv. 34v, 1933. F E LUMLEY 1,935,158 I VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fid/I/f INVENTOR HIS ATTORNEY Nav. M, 1933. F. E. LUMLEY 1,935,158

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/d/Wi' lam/ m INVENTOR I HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1933.

F. E. LUMLEY VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 11, 1929 mgm 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOFIQ H 5 ATTORNEY NOV. 14, 1933. E, LUMLEY 1,935,158

' VACUUM CLEANER 7 Filed Jan. 11, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1W5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 14; 1933 PATENT, OFFICE UNITED STATES 'lclalms.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in vacuum cleaners and has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character which will be highly eflicient in use and economical in manufacture.

The salient object of my invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which will be automatic in operation, that is one which can be so arranged that it will traverse the entire surface of the rug without requiring guidance on the part of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby a device of the foregoing character may be arranged to move back and forth across a rug and to arrange the mechanism so that it will be adjustable in order that rugs of different sizes will be traversed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above named character which may be so arranged that itmay be moved at right angles to the back and forth movement above mentioned in order that the entire surface of a rug may be traversed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement in a device of the above named character for automatically reversing the direction of travel which will also provide an adjustment for varying the amount of travel imparted to the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle construction which will auto-- matically move into operating position at predetermined times and which will also move into inoperative position-at predetermined times during the operation of the device.

A still further object of the invention is to so arrange the above described noz'zleconstruction that operation thereof will be synchronized.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing means for operating the above described nozzle operating mechanism which will also be arranged to operate a vacuum creating mechanism.

A further object of the invention, ancillary to the 'foregoing, is to provide an arrangement whereby the traversing mechanisms may be rendered inoperative while the vacuum creating means remains in operative condition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby additional members may be connected to the mechanisms having nozzles associated therewith which will permit the use of the mechanism in cleaning articles other than rugs.

A still further object of the invention consists in providing an arrangement whereby a vacuum creating mechanism mounted extraneous the device may be connected thereto to operate through the nozzles provided on the mechanism.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Theinvention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of construction for my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. detail view of the handle employed in the device;

Fig. 4 is a detafl view of an attachment member optionally associated with the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a plan view in which the cover-members have been removed;

Fig. 5a is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 5a.5a of Fig. 5

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 on Fig. 5; V

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line .7--7 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 5-8 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a fragmental detail view taken su stantially on the line 1010 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a fragmental plan view drawn to an enlarged scale of a trip member depicted in F 5;

' Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view depicting the driving mechanisms;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially onthe line 1414 on Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a fragmental plan view of a portion of the mechanisms illustrated in Fig. 13, said members having been broken away;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line Iii-16 on Fig. 5;

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the nozzle shown at the left in Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a detail view taken substantially on 105 the line 18--18 on Fig. 1'7.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated a preferred form of construction for my device 10 and 11 respectively indicate the side frames of my improved construction. Journaled in these side frames adjacent the front and rear ends of the mechanism are shafts 12 and 13.

On the end of the shaft 12 disposed within the frame I provide a supporting wheel 14 and on 8 the end of the shaft 12 in the side frame 11 I provide a supporting wheel 15. Similarly wheels 18 and 17 are mounted on the shaft 13 in the side frames 10 and 11 respectively. These wheels 14,

15, 16, and 1''! support the machine for longitudinal movement and power is supplied thereto in a manner now to be set forth.

On the shaft 12 in spaced apart relation I provide two bevel gears 18 and 19 which are disposed in the manner best illustrated in Fig.

5. A supporting bracket 20 is provided which supports one end of a shaft 21 for slidable movement and the shaft 21 has a bevel gear 22 provided on the end thereof disposed toward the shaft 12 and this gear 22 is adapted to alternately engage the gears 18 and 19. At an intermediate point in the extent of the shaft 21 a universal joint is provided for a purpose to be set forth hereinafter. On the inner end of the shaft 21 I mount a sprocket 23 about which a chain 24 is fitted. The chain 24 extends across the machine and is connected to the power supplying mechanisms to be described hereinafter in order that movement may be imparted through the chain 24 to the sprocket 23 through the shaft 21 to the gear 22. In a manner to be set forth hereinafter the gear 22 is alternately moved into engagement with either the gear 18 or the gear 19. When the gear 22 is engaged with the gear 18 the machine will be propelled in one direction and when said gear 22 is engaged with the gear 19 the machine will be propelled in the opposite direction, movement being imparted directly from the shaft 12 to the wheels 14 and 15. In order to drive the wheels 16 and 17 I mount on the shaft 12, in juxtaposition to the wheel 14, a sprocket 25, see Fig. 11. A sprocket 26 is mounted on the shaft 13 in juxtaposition to the wheel 18 and a chain 27 is directed around thesesprockets. Therefore. when the shaft 12 is driven in the manner hereinbefore set forth the shaft 13 will also be driven and in this manner the device will be caused to have longitudinal movement imparted thereto.

It has been pointed out that it is desirable that the machine have transverse movement imparted thereto. Therefore, near the corners of the device I provide housings 28, 29, 30, and 31. In Fig. 7 I have illustrated the housing 28 'in detail and by referring to this view it may be seen that in the housing 28 a vertically extending channel is provided which is indicated by 32. In this channel 32 a block 33 is disposed and along one side of the channel I arrange a plurality of roller bearings 34 which facilitate the moving of the block 33 through the channel 28. On one edge of the block 33 I provide a rack 35. Bosses 36 are provided on one side of the housing 28 in which a shaft 37 is journaled. On this shaft 37 is a pinion 38 which meshes with the rack 35. An arrangement substantially similar to this is provided in each of the housings 29, 30, and 31. The shaft 37 extends between the housings 28 and 30. A shaft 40 substantially similar to the shaft 37 extends between the housings 29 and 31. On each side of the pinion 38 meshing with the rack 35 in the housing 28 I provide drums 39. Similarly, drums 41 are provided on each side of the pinion 38 meshing with the rack 35 in the housing 29. Chains 42 extend between aligned drums on opposite sides of the machine. The chains 42 are so arranged that while one end portion thereof is unwinding from one of the drums the other end portion will be winding on the other of the drums. Further the chains are so arranged that one of the chains on one side of the pinion will be winding while the chain on the other side will be unwinding. This arrangement is such that when either the shaft 37 or the shaft 40 is moved, this movement will be so transmitted to the other of the shafts through the chains that the other shaft will rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the motivating shaft. The movement imparted to these shafts will be transmitted through the pinions 38 to the racks 35 to move the blocks 33 outwardly. Mounted on each of the blocks 33 are wheels 43 and these wheels are disposed so as to extend beyond the lower end of the blocks 33. Extending between the housings 28 and 30 is a shaft 44. Pinions 45 are mounted on the stud shafts carrying the wheels 43 associated with the blocks 33 in the housing 28 and 30. Pinions 46 are provided on the shaft 44 which mesh with the pinions 45. The shaft 44 is continually rotated and the movement thereof is'transmitted through the pinions 46 to the pinions 45 to rotate the stud shafts on which the wheels 43 are mounted. At predetermined times during the operation of the machine movement is imparted either to the shaft 37 or the shaft 40 which causes the slide blocks 33 to move outwardly and thus the wheels 43 are moved into engagement with the floor and these wheels are moved a distance sufficient to lift the wheels 14, 15, 16, and 17 from engagement with the floor and since the wheels 43 associated with the housings 28 and 30 are continually rotating it is apparent that movement in a transverse direction will be imparted to the device. shafts 3'7 and 40 are so arranged that after the wheels have been brought into engagement with the floor, and held there for a predetermined length of time, these mechanisms will release which will permit the spring 47 to act on the shaft 3'? to impart movement thereto opposite to the direction of the movement first imparted to this shaft which will cause the slide blocks 33 to move upwardly and retract the wheels 43 from engagement with the floor which will permit the wheels 14, 15, 16, and 1'? to reengage the floor and again impart the longitudinal movement to the device.

' The mechanisms for supplying power to the hereinbefore described mechanisms include the following arrangement. Mounted on the top supporting plate 48 is an electric motor 49. Mounted on the shaft 50 of the electric motor 49 is a gear 51. An opening is provided in the top plate 48 through which the gear 51 extends. The gear 51 meshes with a gear 52 that is freely mounted on a shaft 53. The shaft 53 has a sprocket 54 on the end thereof about which the chain 24 is extended. On one face of the gear 52 I pro- The mechanisms which actuate the vide a clutch jaw 55. A clutch jaw 56 is keyed to the shaft 53 to be moved therealong but rotatably therewith. This clutch structure is actuated by the following mechanisms.

Depending from the top wall 48 are brackets 57 and 58. Pivotally connected to the bracket 57 is an arm 59. An arm 60 is pivotally connected to the collar 61 which is connected to the clutch jaw 56. The arms 59 and 60 are pivotally connected together at their free ends as indicated at 62, A spring 63 normally acts to hold the collar 61 in a retracted position against the bracket 57. When the clutch is disengaged the arms 59 and 60 are disposed at an angle to each other. However, when the arms 59 and 60 are moved into alignment and the spring 63 is placed under tension the clutch jaw 56 will be forced into engagement with the clutch jaw 55. Inasmuch as the clutch jaw 56 is rotatable with the shaft 53 it is apparent that when the clutch jaws 55 and 56 are engaged that the gear 52 will be connected to the shaft 53 since the clutch jaw 55 is carried by the gear 52. It is, therefore, apparent that movement will be transmitted from theshaft 50 of the motor 49 throughthe gear 51 to the gear 52 and thence through the clutch jaw 55 to the clutch jaw 56 to the shaft 53 and thence through the sprocket 54 to the chain 24 to the sprocket 23 which as set forth hereinbefore drives the shaft 21.

Mounted on the inner end of the shaft 21 is a bevel gear 64. A shaft 65 is provided which has a flexible connection 66 therein and on the inner end of the shaft 65 is a bevel gear 67 which meshes with the bevel gear 64. On the opposite end of the shaft 65 is a bevel gear 67' which meshes with a. bevel gear 68 on the shaft 44 and in this manner power is transmitted to the shaft 14 which is continually rotated inasmuch as the shaft 21 is continually rotated when the clutch is engaged. The utility of the flexible connection 66 will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

'Rotatably journaled in vertical position near the rear of the machine is a shaft 69. A gear 70 is fixed to the shaft 69 and a pinion 71 fixed.

on the shaft 72 meshes with this gear 70. A bevel gear 73 is mounted on the shaft 72 below the pinion 71. A shaft 74 is horizontally journaled in suitable bearings and has a bevel gear 75 thereon that mesheswith the bevel gear 73. A bevel gear 76 is provided on the shaft 74 which meshes with a bevel gear 77 mounted on the shaft 13. It has been pointed out hereinbefore that the bevel gears 18 and 19 are alternately engaged by the pinion 22 to alternately rotate the shaft 12 in opposite directions. It has been pointed out that the shaft 13 is connected to the shaft 12 and, therefore, this shaft is alternately rotated in opposite directions. It is, therefore, apparent that the shaft 74 and consequently the shaft 72 are alternately rotated in opposite directions and, therefore, the shaft 69 will be alternately rotated in opposite directions.

Disposed around the shaft 69 above the gear 70 is a plate 78 which is supported from the gear 70 by the brackets 79. In this plate 78 a plurality of openings 80 are provided. The openings 80 are disposed in two circular rows as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 and the openings are so disposed that an opening in one row is disposed intermediate two openings in the other row.

Secured to the shaft 69 above the plate 78 are two arms 81 and 82. In these arms 81 and 82 pins such as 83 and 8d are arranged which have springs 85 and 86 associated therewith that normally force the pins 83 and 84 downwardly. By properly positioning the arm 81 either the pin 83 or the pin 84 willenter a selected one of the openings 80 since the pin 83 is aligned with the outer row of openings while the pin 84 is aligned with the inner row of openings. The pins include head portions which are extended through a slot 87 in the cover of the machine. About the slot 87 calibrations 88 are provided with which the heads of the pins selectively register. A similar arrangement is provided for the arm 82 and in this manner the arms 81 and 82. may be disposed in predetermined positions in spaced apart relation. Inasmuch as the arms 81 and 82 are connected to the shaft 69 and the plate 78 it is ap parent that these arms will be alternately moved in opposite directions as has been pointed out hereinbefore.

Mounted forwardly of the plate .78 are two spools 89 and 90 which are arranged for vertical movement about the supporting spindles 91 and 92 therefor. Extending outwardly from adjacent sides of the spools 89 and 90 are the projections 93 and 94. Pins 95 and 96 are fixed to the upper sides of the spools 89 and 90 in a position substantially similar to that indicated in Fig. 5. A spring 97 extends between the pin 95 and the side frame 11. A spring 98 extends between the pin 96 and the side frame 10. These springs provide ofi-center devices for the spools 89 and 90. Supported above the spool 89 is a bracket 99 on which a yieldable bumper structure 100 is mounted. Fixed in the upper side of the spool 89 at spaced apart points are pins 101 and 102 and the spring 97. acts on the spool 89 to alternately dispose either the pin 101 or the pin 102 in engagement with the bumper structure 100. Mounted in the upper side of the spool 90 are pins 103 and 104. A bracket structure 105 is mounted above the spool 90 and carries a bumper structure 106. The spring 98 holds the spool 90 in such a position that either the pin 103 or the pin 104 is in engagement. with the yieldable bumper structure 106.

Mounted to have a portion disposed intermediate the spools 89 and 90 is a plate 107. The plate 107 is supported for rockable movement in a horizontal plane about the pivotal mounting 108 therefor. Mounted on the end of the plate 107 disposed between the spools 89 and 90 are projecting ears 109 and 110. At the opposite end of the plate 107 is a slot 111. A link 112 has one end portion slidably mounted in the slot 111 and the opposite end of the link 112 is conneced to the shaft 21 as indicated at 113. A spring 114 extends between the intermediate portion of the link 112 and the plate 107 to provide an overcenter device which will be described more fully hereinafter.

At the end of the plate 107 having the ears 109 and 110 I pivotally mount two arms 115 and 116.

-Rotatably journaled in suitable bearings provided by the plate 107 is a worm 117 which for onehalf of its length has its lead extending in one direction and which has for the other half of its length the lead extending in the opposite direction. A worm wheel 118 is mounted on the worm 117 at the point of. juncture of these oppositely directed leads. A vertically extending shaft 119 extends out through the top cover of the machine where a thumb portion 120 is provided. A worm gear 121 is provided on the shaft 119 which meshes with the worm wheel 118 and, therefore, by manipulation of the thumb portion 120 movement may be imparted through the shaft 119, v worm 121, worm wheel 118, i0 the worm 117.140 The inner ends of the arms 115 and 116 are provided with nuts 122 and 123 which mesh with ihe threads of the worm 117 on opposite sides of the worm wheel 118. It is, therefore, apparent that due to the opposite direction of the ex'ent 145 of the lead of the worm 117 on opposite sides of the gear 118, and when said Worm 117 is rotated, that the arms 115 and 116 will either be moved ,toward or away from each other about the piv- With the parts in the position shown in Fig. movement is being imparted through the chain 24 to drive the shaft 21 and the gear 22 in a clockwise direction. It is, therefore, apparent that the gear 18 and the shafts 12 and 13 will be driven in a counter-clockwise direction as seen looking from left to right in Fig. 5. Since the shaft 13 is rotating in said counter-clockwise direction it is apparent that the shaft 74 will be rotated in'a counter-clockwise direction as seen looking from bottom to top of Fig. 5 while the gear 73 and pinion 71 will be driven in a counter-cloclrwise direction as seen in plan view in Fig. 5 which will obviously operate the plate 78 in a clockwise direction as seen in plan view in Fig. 5. The spool 90 will be disposed in the position shown in Fig;

5. Therefore, as the plate 76 rotates in the clcclr wise direction the arm 82 will eventually move into engagement with the projector surface 126 of the projection 94 on the spool 90 and will act on this spool 90 to cause the pin 96 to move just past a diametrical line through the spool 90. As the pin 96 moves past this diametrical line or slightly over center the spring 98 will be placed under tension and hold the spool 90 in this posimounted on the upper side of the spool 90 and a link 130 extends from this connecting member 129 to an arm 131 that extends from the shaft 37. The connecting member 129 is so arranged that it will impart movement through the link 130 and the arm 131 to the shaft 37 when the spool 90 is moved in the direction just set forth. Movement imparted to the shaft 37 is transmitted to the shaft' through the chains 12. The movement of these shafts causes the pinions 38 to act on the racks to move the blocks 33 downwardly which will move the wheels 43 into en gagernent with the floor which will lift the wheels 141, 15, 16, and 17 from engagement therewith. inasmuch as the shaft 44 is continually operated as set forth hereinbefore it is apparent that as soon as the wheels 43 engage the floor the device will be moved toward the right as viewed in Fig. 5. The spool 20 is so positioned that the connecting member 129 will be located and so arranged that it will engage the member 130. In a manner to be set forth these members are disconnected to permit the spring 47 to retract the wheels 43 from engagement with the floor which will obviously permit reengagement of the wheels 14, 15, 16, and 17 with the floor. At the time these last named wheels engage the floor they will be rotating in the opposite direction this being accomplished in the following manner.

After the arm 82 has moved the spool 90 in the manner set forth the/plate 78 will continue to revolve and at a predetermined time the spring urged and pivotally mounted finger portion 127 (see Fig. 9) will engage the arm 116 and impart movement to the plate 107 which will act through the link 112 to move the gear 22 from engagement with the gear 18 and at the time sufficient movement has been imparted to the plate 107 to cause the plate 107 to pass over the gear 22 into engagement with the gear 19. At the time the plate 107 is moved in the manner described the projection 110 will engage the projecting surface 128 of the projection 94 to move the spool 90 back into the position depictgear 18 the forward movement of the device will be interrupted and at the time the gear 22 moves into engagement with the gear 19 the parts will be set in operation to move the machine rearwardly. Therefore, the wheels 14, 15, 16, and 17 will be so operated that the machine will be moved rearwardly. At the time the projection 110 engages the surface 128 to move the spool 90 and as said spool moves back into the position shown in Fig. 5 the members 129 and 130 are released which permits the spring 17 to remove the wheels 43 from engagement with the floor, as set forth above.

It is obvious that since the gears 22 land 19 are meshing the shafts 12 and 13 will be rotated in a direction opposite to that hereinbefore described and, therefore, the plate 78 will be re tated in a counter-clockwise direction. Therefore, the arm 81 will be moving toward the pro jecting surface 135 on the projection 63 on the spool 89 and, at the time the arm 81 engages the surface 135, the spool 89 will be moved to move the spring 97 over center similar to the manner in which spring 98 is moved, which will quickly move the spool 89 to move the pin 102 into engagement with said bumper structure. Movement of the spool 89 in this direction will be transmitted to the shaft and, therefore, to the shaft 37 to move the wheels 43 into engagement with the floor to again impart the transverse movement to the device. Movement of the spool 89 is transmitted from the connecting member 132 on the spool 89 through the link 133 to the arm 134 that extends out from the shaft 10. The connecting member 132, link 133, and arm 134 are substantially similar to the connecting member 129, link 130, and arm 131 and operate in a manner substantially similar to said arms. It is apparent that the plate 107 will be in a position opposite to that depicted in Fig. 5 at this time. Therefore, the finger portion 127 will eventually move into such a po= sition that it will engage the end of the arm 115 which will tend to move the plate 107 over center to permit the spring 114 to act on the link 112 to impart movement to the shaft 21 to move the gear 22 from engagement with the gear 19 back into engagement with the gear 18. This movement of the gear 22 in either direction takes place at the time at which the spring 47 retracts the wheels 43 from engagement with the floor. Therefore, at the time the transverse movement is completed the device will again start to move in the direction opposite to that in which it has been moving. It is apparent that as the plate 107 is moved by the engagement of the arms 115 with the finger 127 that the projection 109 will engage the surface 136 on the projection 93 and will move the spool 89 back into the position depicted in Fig. 5 since both the spools, 89 and 90 only occupy the position opposite to that in which they are depicted in Fig. 5 during the transverse movement of the machine. The finger 127 yields when moved in a direction opposite to that in which it operates the arms 115 and 116. I

In the foregoing description I have set forth how the machine is caused to reciprocate over ed in Fig. 5. It is apparent that at the time the gear 22 is moved from engagement with the lift same time.

a surface and at the same time be moved transversely to cover the entire area of the surface.

By properly disposing the arms 81 and 82 relative to the plate 78 the magnitude of the movement imparted may be controlled; that is, the longitudinal movement may be controlled while the transverse movement is controlled by the position of the arms and 116.

A nozzle construction isprovided which consists of the following mechanisms. This nozzle construction is illustrated best in Figs. 8, 16, 17 and 18. Herein it will be seen that nozzle structures generally indicated at 138 are provided adjacent each end of the machine. Inasmuch as these nozzle structures are identical only one nozzle structure 138 will be described herein. In each of the nozzle structures 138 a longitudinally extending channel 139a is provided and the end portions 155 (Figs. 16 and 17) of the vacuum conduits open into these channels. The channels 139a form valve seats 142band 142e in the nozzle structures 138 and the valves 1420 and 142d are adapted to swing and seat against these valve seats to close the channels 139a. Each of the side walls 10 and ii of the casing is provided with a slot 138a and projecting from the nozzle structures 138 at the ends thereof are tongues 139' which ride in the slots 138a to permit the nozzle structure 138 to freely move over irregularities in the surface being traversed. Mounted on each of the nozzle structures 138 is a shaft 141 on each of which shafts a valve element (142a and 142d) is mounted. To distinguish said valve elements from each other they will hereinafter be referred to as valve elements 1420 and 14211. As shown in Fig. 8, a link 143 is connected to the valve elements 1420 and 142d and a bar 144a, having a rack 145 provided thereon, is connected to the link 143. When the machine is standing still one of the valve elements, 1420 for example, will .be in engagement with the valve seat 1421) (Fig. 16) thereby closing the corresponding vacuum conduit channel 139a which provides an inlet to vacuum conduit portion 155 that opens thereinto and when the machine begins to move (toward the right, Fig. 16) the valve element 1420 is gradually moved away from the valve seat 142?) thus opening the corresponding channel 139a while at the same time the valve element 142d engages the valve seat 1426 and closes the corresponding channel 139a so as not to diminish the force of the suction or vacuum on the leading channel 139a by having both channels 1390. fully open at the The construction for accomplishing this is best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8. Referring to these views it may be seen that a gear 146 is fixed on the shaft 13. A bracket structure 147 is provided which supports a shaft 148. A gear 149 on the'shaft 148 meshes with the gear 146 and a pinion 150 on the shaft 148 meshes with the rack 145. As the shafts 12 and 13 are alternately rotated in opposite directions in the manner set forth, swinging movement is imparted to the valve elements 1420 and 142d. This swinging movement is such that thevalve element to the rear of the machine, 142d for example, is gradually moved into engagement with the valve seat 1426 after the machine has begun to move and the leading valve element 1420 is gradually disengaged from valve seat 1422) aftersaid movement is begun. At the time the ends of the racks 145 are reached the pinions 150 move onto the untoothed portions 144a of the racks but the bottom edges of the valve elements 1420 and 142d are still in engagement with the surface over which the machine is moving so that when the machine makes its lateral movement and starts back the bottom edge of the valve elements 1420 and 142d, being frictionally engaged with the surface therebelow, pivots the links 143 at 141 and thereby move the racks 144 back into engagement with the pinions 150. I Arranged on the upper surface of the machin is a fan housing 151 in which a centrifugal fan 152 is mounted. Conduits 153 and 154 extend between the nozzle constructions 137 and 138 and are connected thereto through the flexible connections 155 (Fig. 16). The conduits 153 and 154 terminate at substantially the. midpoint in the fan. housing 151. On each side of the fan housing 151.valve structures .156 and 157 are provided in the conduits 153 and 154 respectively in order that passage through the conduits 153*and 154, may be controlled and the handles of these valves are extended through the upper surface of the machine. The fan 152 is mounted on a vertically ex tending shaft 158. On the shaft 50 of the motor 49 a pulley 159 is provided. A vertically disposed shaft 160 has pulleys 161 provided thereon and a pulley 162 is provided on the shaft 1.58 below the lower wall of the fan housing 151. A belt 163 extends around the pulleys 159, 161, and 162 and imparts the rotary movement of the motor shaft 50 to the shaft 158 so as to operate the fan 152.

On the upper surface of the fan housing 151 I provide a discharge neck 164 which has the usual bag structure 165 associated therewith that is supported by the neck 1.64 and the handle 166.

The handle 166 is pivotally connected to the upper surface 167 in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 3. v

At the front and rear ends of the machine are castor structures 1-68 and 169 respectively. These castor constructions are arranged to be swivelly mounted so that in the event the machine engages a wall and the transverse movement described is imparted, marring of the wall will be obviated by these castors. When it is desired to transport the machine the device is tilted rearwardly onto the castor 169 and may, therefore, be moved to any desired point.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a neck 178 which may be attached to the fan housing 151 in substantially the same manner as the neck. 164 in place of the neck 164 in order that a vacuum pump of a standard construction now commercially in use may be connected to the device in place of the fan described.

A conduit 171 is extended into the fan housing 151 and has a valve structure 172 associated therewith which includes a nozzle 173 to which a flexible tube may be connected in order that additional nozzles may be employed.

Extended outwardly throughthe side construction 11 is an arm 174 which is connected to the links 59 and 60 at the pivotal connection 62 thereof. This arm 174 extends in the direction of transverse travel of the machine and in the event the machine would strike an obstruction when traveling in this direction this arm 174 would be moved inwardly so as to move the arms 59 and 60 from alignment which would obviously disengage the clutch and interrupt operation of the machine.

It is apparent that after the motor has been set in operation movement of the machine may be controlled through the clutch hereinbefore set forth. In order to facilitate this I provide a pin 175 which is projected up through the upper cover Les or the machine to facilitate manipulation of this mechanism. The pin 175 is connected to the arms 59 and 60 at the pivotal connection 62 thereof.

A switch for controlling the motor may be provided in the handle 166. Another switch struc= ture indicated at 176 is associated with the motor and is preferably arranged on one end thereof within the housing 177 in which the motor as is confined. iihis switch structure 176 includes an operating lever 17%.. A plunger 178 is slidably mounted on the upper surface oi the device and is confined in position. by brackets 179. A pin 180 is fixed on the member 1'18 between the brackets 1'79 and tends to limit the sliding movement oi the plunger 1'38. A toggle construction 181 has a portion which extends into an opening in one end oi the plunger and is connected. to the operating lever 177a. A pin 180 is normally disposed to lie in the path of the pin 175. Therefore, when the pin iifi'is moved inwardly with respect to the machine to disengage the clutch members 55 and 56 the pin 180 will also be moved Which will move the lever 177a to interrupt the circuit to the motor. It may be desirous at times to operate the motor without having the clutch engaged. In order to accomplish this the plunger 178 is arranged to be axially rotatable in the brackets 179. 'lhereifore, the pin liiil may be 'moved into the dotted line position shown in F g.

15 and it is, therefore, apparent that the switch structure may be moved without operating the clutch structure.

In order to facilitate the setting of arms 81 and 82 I provide the indicators 181 which register with the calibrations 88.

' While l have illustrated and described the pre ferred form oi construction for carrying my in= vention into eiiect, this is capable oif variation and modification, without departing tram the spirit of the invention. L therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details or construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

' Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a supporting body adapted to travel over a surface, means to impart a longitudinal reciprccatory movement to said body, means to interrupt said movement at the ends of each reciprocation,

- means to shift said body transversely a predetermined times during the movements of said body,-

and mechanism to operate said last-named means.

2. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a supporting body adapted to travel over a surface, means to impart a longitudinal reciprocatory movement to said body, means to interrupt said movement at the ends of each reciprocation, means to shift said body transversely a predetermined amount before the next longitudinal movement takes place, vacuum cleaning mechanism carried by said body, said mechanism comprising vacuum producing means and conduits associated therewith including nozzles adapted to gather material from said surface, and automatically operated means to open and close said nozzles at predetermined times during the movements of said body.

3. A cleaning device having nozzles connected to a source of suction, means for imparting a longitudinal reciprocatory movement to said cleaning. device, means for alternately opening and closing said nozzles at predetermined times during the movements of said body, and automatically operated mechanism to operate said lastnamed means.

4:. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a supporting body adapted to travel over a surface to be cleaned, means to impart a longitudinal reciprocatory movement to said body, means to interrupt said movement at the ends of each reciprocation, and means to shift said body transversely a predetermined amount before the next longitudinal movement, vacuum cleaning mechanism carried .bysaid body including vacuum conduits, and nozzles at the ends of said conduits adapted to draw therethrough dirt from the sur face to be cleaned.

FRANK E. LUlViLEY. 

